1. Scrip
  2. >>Therapy Areas
  3. >>Anticancer

Novartis Cell Therapy Unit To Close: Implications For CAR-T Could Be Big

 
• By Lucie Ellis-Taitt and Jessica Merrill

Novartis is closing its high-profile cell and gene therapy unit – the one responsible for developing CAR-T therapies. The move suggests Novartis’s outlook for the CAR-T field may be changing, though it’s not clear why.

Novartis AG's decision to disband its cell and gene therapy unit – the business responsible for developing one of the most advanced CAR-T therapies in the industry – has raised questions about the Swiss pharma’s outlook for an area of oncology research that has been thought to be groundbreaking.

It was only four years ago that Novartis in-licensed the CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) technology from the University of Pennsylvania with much fanfare. The high-profile deal was said to involve one of the biggest upfronts ever for an academic collaboration. (Also see "A New Industry-Academic Model: Novartis And Penn Make A Splash In Cancer Immunotherapy" - In Vivo, 26 November, 2012

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Anticancer

Merck’s Welireg Adrenal Tumor Rollout Targets Specialized Centers

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The drugmaker won US FDA approval for the HIF-2α inhibitor in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, a rare cancer of the adrenal glands, in adolescents and adults.

China Biopharma Podcast

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan and Xu Hu

Join our China-based editors Dexter Yan and Xu Hu in this Chinese-language podcast looking at some of their recent interviews and other key coverage.

iTeos/GSK To Terminate Collaboration After TIGIT Trials Flop

 
• By Alaric DeArment

Belrestotug is the latest anti-TIGIT candidate to fail to meet expectations. iTeos said it will pursue strategic alternatives.

‘Market Developments’ Persuade Galapagos To Rethink Spin-Off

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

CEO Paul Stoffels exits early to be succeeded by Henry Gosebruch, who will now consider ‘all options’ for the Belgian firm as it tries to claw back investor confidence.

More from Therapy Areas

Leo Roars To A Profit In Q1 As Adbry Grows In US

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The Danish firm's atopic dermatitis drug is holding its own despite strong competition from Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent.

Multiple Launches Help Lilly’s Japan Growth

 
• By Ian Haydock

Lilly saw solid growth for its business in Japan last year on the back of several new launches and is building its obesity and Alzheimer's portfolios in the country.

Novo Nordisk Looks To Septerna For Oral Obesity Options

 
• By Mary Jo Laffler

Deal Snapshot: The Danish drugmaker is partnering with GPCR drug discovery expert Septerna to develop multiple small molecules for cardiometabolic targets.